Leftism banned in Karenytenia (closed)

[Karenytenia]

(Image)

Official Communiqué of the Norsefire Republic of Zokoria

---

To: Colin Townsend, High Chancellor of the Republic of Hippostania
From: Henrik Müller, Supreme Leader of The Norsefire Republic of Zokoria

---

We strongly agree with your kind words. Any threat to the Republic of Karenytenia and President Yarel Vyerelyn himself shall not be tolerated. And we hope to assist your Army in stopping the "pro-communist" riots that has been engulfing Karenytenia recently.

---

Signed,
Henrik Müller
Supreme Leader of the Norsefire Republic of Zokoria

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KARENYTENIA
Presidential Message
CONFIDENTIAL

To Henrik Müller, Supreme Leader of the Norsefire Republic of Zokoria,

We accept your offer. Karenytenia must live safely and peacefully. These riots must be immediately quelled. These communist oppressors are violating the Constitution of the Republic of Karenytenia.

Once again, we accept your offer and we thank you for considering what is happening here.

Signed,
Yarel Vyerelyn, President of the Republic of Karenytenia

[Zaras]

An Official Communiqué of The Free City of Zaras

From: Garán Hannes
To: The Government of Karenytenia

I would've thought I'd get used to such ignorance and blatant totalitarianism in all my years of working in the field of foreign relations, but I guess I was wrong.

The Government of the Free City of Zaras hereby protests against your shameful, utterly meritless and unbelievably idiotic ban against leftist parties. To claim that you "protect freedom and democracy" by banning an entire part of the political spectrum is to spit in the very face of freedom and democracy. I don't know what is more sickening, your abject cowardice, your eagerness to massacre your very citizens in the name of stamping out any threats to your illegitimate supposed "authority", or your intelligence-insultingly offensive attempts to invoke the very freedom and democracy you maladjusted dictators loathe with every inch of your ugly souls, as your savagery in the past few days has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt. You are a stain on the face of humanity and the international community.

Zaras gives all of its support to the brave citizens who are fighting for true freedom and democracy, something you monsters surely have no clue about, and we will take any measures necessary to help Karenytenians fight your murderous tyranny. I can't wait for the front row seats to your well-deserved funeral.

Garán Hannes

Foreign Minister of The Free City of Zaras

[Mirkana]

OFFICIAL DISPATCH FROM THE NATIONAL COMMAND CENTER

After consulting with my advisors, I have decided to decline to condemn the actions of the Karenytenian government. Unlike less pragmatic nations, the Dark Republic does not value freedom of speech as a human right, and any government that determines that a given form of speech is detrimental to society at large is within its rights to ban it.

However, just because they have the RIGHT to do so, does not mean that they should. Banning a large segment of the political spectrum will no doubt have a chilling effect on the political discourse in Karenytenia, eventually driving them into extreme right positions without regards for reason or rationality. In addition, my first reaction upon viewing this report was to predict that various leftist or democratic nations would take issue with Karenytenia's actions, and possibly even declare war. Needless to say, I was right.

So allow me to take this opportunity to officially call out the government of Karenytenia as the giant idiots that they are, for having carried out such an incredibly stupid action. I have ordered the withdrawal of the Mirkanan diplomatic mission, and authorized the sale of arms and intelligence to nations opposed to Karenytenia if they so desire. Because while I don't give a damn about morality, I will not associate the Dark Republic with anyone so stupid, nor will I pass up the chance to profit from their stupidity.

Signed,

General Ken Remmol, Commander-In-Chief
Mount Stronghold
Dark Republic of Mirkana

[Sedikal]

I must say times in your nation would go a lot easier if you didn't ban an ideology. This civil unrest wouldn't have happened if you had just kept it legal and I can only predict more anti-government movements and resentment to the curant regime.

[Kernen]

Official Communique of the Ogre Khanate of Kernen
From the desk of Foreign Minister Dough Arxeye,
Authority derived from the throne of Supreme Khan Juk i'Behemoti

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Excellent it is to see a nation who knows how to deal with it's people! The will of the masses is weak and often mislead. A firm hand is required to keep them in line. We heartily condone your suppression of the foul leftist ideologies, beliefs that are like a pestilence to order and discipline.

The might of the Glorious Military Khanate is behind you!

General Dough Arxeye,
Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs

[Karenytenia]

Riots have spread throughout the entirety of Karenytenia, with anti-government demonstrators clashing with police and military. After the beginning of the riots, more than 700 people have been killed, more than 1200 have been injured and more than 2500 have been detained.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Karenytenia relocated to new headquarters.

[Hippostania]

Princess Hill Joint Base, Waverley

On the docks of the Princess Hill Joint Base on the outskirts of Waverley, one of the biggest bases of the Hippostanian Armed Forces, thousands of soldiers were preparing to load Amanda-class amphibious assault ships, Admiralty class dock landing ships and Columbia class amphibious transport docks with food, ammunition, armored fighting vehicles, cars and trucks. Some soldiers were carrying their belongings onboard the ship, while others were saying goodbyes to their loved ones.

Hundreds of kilometers to the south, near the city of Amstelwijk, HNS Julia, a Merina class aircraft carrier was also preparing to embark on a long journey to aid the Karenytenian government. Equipped with the state-of-the-art radar technology and having a majestic length of over a quarter of a kilometer, Julia was indeed a magnificent ship. Instead of armored vehicles, this ship was being loaded with ammunition and equipment for the aircraft. Air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground missiles, drop tanks for extra fuel, white phosphorus rockets and napalm bombs.

''Move up, move up!'' someone shouted as the last AV10 Antelope armored personnel carrier was lifted onboard one of the ships and the ships were ready to leave. Onboard were several military police regiments, including the dreaded 385th Military Police Regiment or the ''Wolfhounds'', who had been in a similar situation four decades earlier, ready to crush the rebellion taking place in Karenytenia. These soldiers were battle-hardened and would do anything the officers told them. Karenytian protesters were going to have hard time trying to convince them not to shoot.

A few hours later, on the seas

Brigadier General Pitts was sitting on his bed in the officer quarters of the HNS Milla, one of the Amanda class amphibious ships that were heading towards Karenytenia. He was studying maps of the country, learning about the geography and history of the country. It was always a good idea to know your enemy. According to the intel they had recieved, the entire country was in turmoil and their help was gravely needed. But their initial duty was to get the unwanted scum out of the capital first, and only then to expand into other cities, crushing resistance with all means necessary.

Pitts didn't like the idea. Sure, they'd get control of the capital. But the riots could still take place elsewhere, and they could radicalize. Pitts didn't trust the Karenytenian Armed Forces at all. Those defecting bastards could supply the civilians with weapons, and civvies armed with machine guns and RPG's was the last thing Pitts wantes. He had explained that he needed more resources, but due to the ongoing preparations for war in Adwest, they couldn't spare him enough troops to assault all major cities at once. Whetever this was going to cost him, he did not know. But he hoped it wouldn't.

Pitts took a sip of coffee and continued studying the maps. The historic city center of the Karenytenian capital was going to suffer greatly in the battle. If there ever was going to be a battle. If he was lucky, he'd just drop a few napalm tanks on protesters and shoot them from all directions. Then repeat this in all major cities and the protests would be crushed and everyone could go. Though he didn't want to use napalm. Not because of international reaction, but because burning bodies stank. Honestly. They stank horrible, he knew that from experience.

And so, Pitts continued studying the maps, while the Hippostanian warships continued heading towards Karenytenia.

[Karenytenia]

Nobody but the Karenytenian police and military knew of the arrival of the Hippostanian soldiers. The riots continue, and the crowds get larger and larger at a huge speed.

While that, Nalyvena now looks like this:

[Tovakestan]

The Unified Commonwealths of Tovakestan hereby congratulates Karenytenia on its choice to crack down on the communist plauge that has sprung up from the deepest, most self-loathing corner of Hell. We hope that you will unite with us to stamp out the threat of communism in all of its names.
-The Parlament of the UCT
"Glory to the Freeworld and Glory to the Capitalist Crusaders of the Earth!"

[Zaras]

An Official Communiqué of The Free City of Zaras

From: Garán Hannes
To: The Government of Karenytenia

Now do you see what happens when you try to strangle democracy? I bet you expected that your citizens would somehow just lie down and take it, didn't you.

The government of Zaras once again salutes the bravery of ordinary Karenytenians and their righteous struggle against creeping totalitarianism.

Garán Hannes

Foreign Minister of The Free City of Zaras

[Conclespia]

6:01 PM
Cohina, Conclespia

A blue mare with a neatly trimmed purple mane sat in a neatly-polished leather chair, staring through one of the two perpendicular floor-to-ceiling windows that gave her office a bird's eye view of the entire city. A light dangled from the ceiling, illuminating the room in a soft, golden glow. In the middle of the room sat a frequently-polished oak desk that was in such good condition that even after centuries of use by generations of Head Senators every small dimple or the occasional hairline crack in the wood was immediately fixed and refurbished. A black, leather semi-circle of a couch faced a 52-inch TV screen that hung from the white-painted wall on the left and the mare stood at the window directly opposite to it, gazing down from her vantage point at the hundreds of skyscrapers and the tiny dots of whirring lights as the traffic reached it's busiest time of day. The city sat in a vale and faced the ocean, and it's geographically strategic position made it the financially strongest city in Conclespia. Oddly, though, the still harbor was devoid of any container terminals and Silver Star scratched her chin as she looked out to sea. It was like an oil painting, really. The last traces of the sun could still be seen far in the horizon and it mixed in with the water to give the ocean a surreal, orange glow.

Dusk had finally come after a long and grueling day of work, and the sky was a fusion of pink and black as Silver Star returned to her chair, her eyelids drooping. A yawn escaped her mouth and she leaned back on her chair, about to doze off before she was nearly jolted out of her chair by three sharp cracks on her wooden door.

"Who is it?!" she roared, her brows furrowing and her voice high-pitched with annoyance. Almost immediately afterwards Silver Star instinctively covered her mouth with her hoof and said meekly, "I mean, come in."

The door swung open and a tall, well-built man wearing a suit walked in, his tanned skin almost, but not quite nearly, the same shade as his close-cropped brown hair. Thomas Silverstone shut the door behind him and curtly nodded a greeting to Silver Star before picking up the remote control and pressing the start button. The screen almost instantly exploded into a whirl of colors and the Head Senator's head recoiled before her eyes brightened with the light of understanding, taking in what was happening on the screen.

"What happened here?" she asked to no one in particular, still transfixed to the screen. Her subordinate merely shrugged. "They've banned leftism in Karenytenia," he replied, his shoulders shrugging. "What do you think we should do, Silver Star?"

"Well, we'll have to come up with an official response to the incident," she replied, finally turning her ocean-blue eyes back to him. "Other than that, nothing. We'll have to monitor the incident closely, though. Wait for a while and then decide on our next course of action later. Has the Senate been notified of this?"

Silverstone shook his head. "You were the first person I came to. I'm sure others have heard of it at this time, though, and they'll probably be passing it on to the Senate by now."

Silver Star nodded, before letting out a sigh. "Another communique to go," she muttered. Noticing Thomas's sympathetic gaze, she said. "Oh, come on, it's not like you can help me. I'm not blaming it on anyone, just the work."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs nodded. "Well, I'll just leave you alone, then," he said, before spinning around and heading out the door. Silver Star leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a brief moment before pulling a sheet of paper out from a black, plastic rack and grabbing her writing pen from the antique penholder that sat on her desk. The day wasn't over. Not just yet.

---

To: Government of Karenytenia
From: Head Senator Silver Star
Subject: Banning of Leftism in Karenyenia

Karenytenian Government,

The People and Senate of the Pony Republic are frankly shocked and appalled at your bigoted and general decision to ban all ideologies that stand under the vast banner of leftism. This is totalitarianism at it's worst and this assault on freedom of speech is truly unacceptable. We urge you to come to your senses and see that communism and socialism are not the entirety of leftism, and even so your dislike of the two ideologies are far from a justification of your actions. We also welcome any political refugees and exiles that you might have and hereby offer asylum to them in this period of chaos that is ensuing in your nation.

---

Signed,

Silver Star, Head Senator of Conclespia

[Hippostania]

Port of Melyn, Karenytenia

After a long trip, the Hippostanian fleet had arrived in the city of Melyn, the biggest coastal city in Karenytenia. Several docks had been reserved solely for the Hippostanian warships so they could unload their equipment as soon as possible. Since the riots had begun, the dockworkers had stopped coming to work so the empty harbour clear of any containers was the perfect location to set up a temporary headquarters.

Soon, tanks and other armored fighting vehicles started pouring out of the ships onto the docks. Guns were being loaded and the fuel tanks were being filled in anticipation of the beginning of the operation that had been nicknamed ''Operation Salazar''. The entire force would participate in the re-taking of the city of Melun from the ''armed gangs and mobsters'', as brigadier general Pitts had begun to call them. Approximately half of the force would then head north to the capital to restore order, while the rest of the troops would stay in Melyn.

As Pitts descended from the ship, the headquarters had almost been established. Well, a headquarters is a too fancy word to describe it; It was essentially a group of tents surrounded by sandbags.

Suddenly, a young private came running to Pitts. He quickly saluted and Pitts responded. He then said: ''Sir, commander Tiralena is waiting for you in the operational headquarters''

''Teerale.. who?'' Pitts responded, lifting his eyebrows

''Commander Tiralena, commander of Melyn garrison of the Karenytenian Armed Forces''

''Alright. Thank you private, at ease'' Pitts said and started walking towards the HQ.

When he arrived, the man only known to Pitts as ''Mr Tiralena'' was already waiting for him. He was standing besides a table with the map of Melyn spread over it. ''Thank you for your time'' he responded, with a stick Karenytenian accent. ''The police has had to pull back all the way to the outskirts of the city and my soldiers can't hold out much longer'' he said, clearly worried.

''Give me a quick sitrep, then. I'll dispatch my men immidiately'' Pitts responded.

The rioters have full control of the city center'' Tiralena said, pointing at the center of the map. ''We have a few isolated platoons in there, but that's pretty much it. We haven't recieved much reinforcements, and right now our forces are mainly holed up on the outskirts of the city, near major throughways. We do not have the operational capability to start any offensive actions, and that's where you must help us. Oh, and there is a large square in the city center that is used as a base by the rioters. Do not go there''

''Oh..'' Pitts started grinning.. ''I think that is where we'll head first!''

Melyn Central Square, Karenytenia
A few hours later

Central Square was packed. Literally packed. The square was filled with tents, gazebos, street vendors and people. People singing, dancing, haggling with vendors, eating or just simply talking with other people. The mood was generally very happy. The threat of immidiate attack by the Karenytenian Police Force and Karenytenian Armed Forces had disappeared, and the people were having a good time.

Suddenly, the sound of rotors filled the air. Behind the buildings, two HU-8 Laurel utility helicopters appeared. They lifted their nose until they were stationary directly above the square. Then, from the loudspeakers onboard the helicopter, a deafening voice filled the square:

''This is Brigadier General Pitts of the Hippostanian Army, working with the full authority of the Karenytenian Parliament and the Karenytenian Armed Forces. This meeting has been deemed illegitimate, and you are violating the orders given to you by the appropriate law enforcement agencies. You have ten minutes to disperse, or force will be used to eject you from the city. Avoid bloodshed, return to your homes at once. This is your last warning''. After this, the helicopters turned around and slowly disappeared from view

Most people did not take this seriously. Hippostanians in Karenytenia? Impossible! The general consensus among the people in the square that this was nothing but a joke, or a bluff. Nevertheless, some people did leave but the majority stayed. The square was still filled with thousands of people.

And so, the celebration continued for the next fifteen minutes. But by then, the time was up.

Suddenly, a giant roaring sound could be heard, as a Hippostanian FM-7 Gazelle flew low over the square. From under its wings, the aircraft dropped tiny white phosphorus rockets. They looked unthretening, about one meter in length. A sound could be heard as these rockets traversed the air, approaching the crowd that had no time to react to the giant white clouds approaching them.

The white phosphorus rockets hit right in the middle of the square. A giant flash that could be seen for miles engulfed the square. The people directly inside the explosion were killed almost instantly, as the white phosphorus burned them to a crisp in an instant consumed all the air, leaving a deadly cloud of poisonous phosphorus pentoxide to hover over the area. People further away were not killed instantly; the white phosphorus sticked into their skin like a leech, burning their skin and causing lethal third-degree burns. Even those who survived with first and second-degree burns weren't lucky; the phosphorus was sucked into their bloodstream, causing death from multiple organ failure in the days to come. In less than a minute, the square had turned from a scene of celebration into a cemetery.

Of course, the Hippostanian Armed Forces would not stop there. As the bombs dropped, convoys of Merina MBT's, AV75 Liberators and AV10 Antelopes supported my Marine Corps infantry departed from the headquarters and headed in all four cardinal directions, firing indiscriminately at everything that moved, including civilians and ambulances that attempted to reach the Central Square.

Within two hours, the city center was deserted and the Hippostanian infantry had finished mopping up the area. Checkpoints were set up, and a curfew was declared from 18:00 until 06:00. After the city was fully clear of any enemy activity, half of the force would head north to the Karenytenian capital and conduct the same operation there.

At the firebase, Pitts smiled. He walked to the operational headquarters where Tiralena was already waiting.

''Mister Tiralena'' he started with a smug grin on his face. ''Your city is now clear of undesirables''

[Tyslus]

From: The CEO of Tyslus, Mark Dennis
To: Government of Karenytenia

The Incorporated States of Tyslus applauds Karenytenia for taking a stand against those godless reds! The Tyslus military corporations are willing to offer you soldiers to reclaim the streets of your nation from the commies that have invaded them for the minimal price of 500$ per week! If you comply we'll land our Mk. 5 peacekeepers in Karenytenia in 24 hours at the nearest airport or you'll get their services for free!
Have a nice day.

[Nordengrund]

Nordengrund applauds you for banning the immoral and evil policies of leftism and moving towards a moralistic, but free society.

[Conclespia]

Snippet

Congregational Hall, Senatorial Forum, 5:37 PM
Cohina, Conclespia

A loss for words.

That was probably the most appropriate term to describe the collective mood of the 112 senators as they sat in the mass of neat and semicircular-arranged wooden seats and desks in Congregational Hall, the headquarters of the Senate. The lights were dimmer than usual, the shaded windows built into the domed, Neoclassical building gray and dark as a seemingly endless barrage of rain pelted the city of Cohina. The white walls of the Hall did little to reflect the gloomy glow that pulsated from the lights overhead, giving the room an eerie luminescence.

Silver Star sat on a simple revolving chair at a desk at the top of the wooden rostrum that was at the front of the room, the wreath on the national flag carved into the center panel on the lower level of the structure. To her left sat her Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thomas Silverstone, and to her right was a yellow-skinned, strong stallion with a neatly-combed mane that was a shade of both dark and electric blue. Golden Oakleaf was the Secondary Head Senator of Conclespia, a close partner of Silver Star ever since they were partnered together in their first jobs in the government. Now he was going to have to prove his faith as his direct senior faced an onslaught of challenges and questions, helping in along the way.

Silver Star cleared her throat and stood, setting her hooves down on the desk to establish a firm and confident yet nonthreatening posture. After clearing her throat several times, she finally spoke into the microphone that sat on her desk and it seemed as if she were talking to an ocean of statues: still, silent, unforgiving.

"Let me skip the formalities and get straight to the point. For those of you that don't know or haven't heard yet, approximately 4 hours ago Hippostanian forces in the city of Melyn in Karenytenia have opened fire on protesters in Central Square. The protesters were idle and apparently were not threatening and after disobeying orders to disperse were fired upon by what appeared to be, or most likely were according to several analysts, phosphorus rockets."

Shouts of anger and dismay filled the crowd as a wave of collective anger filled the Hall. Even as Silver Star raised her hooves to ask for order, it was some time before the anger was quelled and she had the chance to continue.

"After the rockets had fired and their toxic effects killing everyone within it's range, Hippostanian tanks and soldiers spread out and methodically swept the surrounding areas, shooting at anything that moved and preventing any ambulances or people from reaching the square.

"It is unknown what has happened in the aftermath of this massacre, but we do know one thing: this has definitely not gone unnoticed in the international community," she concluded, her eyes sweeping over the senators, waiting for a response.

For a moment, no one spoke or moved, 112 pairs of eyes fixed on her. Then finally, a blond and slim woman raised her hand and after being recognized by the chair stood, her height seemingly dwarfing the other senators. Silver Star identified her as Michelle Thames, a representative of the Conservative Party, and nodded at her to listen to what she had to say.

"It seems to me and several of my fellow representatives here that this cannot go unpunished by our nation, and the rest of the international community," she began. "Surely a condemnation as well as a mobilization of the military ought to happen?"

A few weak "hears" rang out through the room, but it was clear that Thames's proclamation was not supported in the Senate. The senator had never been popular anyway, Silver Star assumed, and she drew in a breath.

"I don't think it's in our position to flex our muscles militarily," she said, drawing a small wave of laughter from the crowd. "Hippostania currently has a military that dwarfs ours and unless we contact other nations such as the Hooviet Union I think above all we should be seeking a diplomatic and peaceful solution before turning to alternative options. We need as little blood to be shed as possible."

As soon as the words had escaped her mouth, the mare grimaced and closed her eyes, realizing her mistake too late. An uproar of voices buffeted her ears before the chair, a stiff and decent Asian man known as Ethan Lee, banged his gavel. "May the Hall come to order! Head Senator, do you have anything else to say?"

Silver Star nodded, and began once more. "I apologize for that; I worded my statement incorrectly and what I meant to say was that we should always seek a peaceful solution before reverting to war. It is beneficial for none and all of us grew up being taught by our parents that war is never the way. I duly -"

Before the next word could escape her mouth, Thames, to the shock of everyone, stood up and interrupted her, hands on her hips. "With all due respect, Ms. Head Senator, enough of your petty jabbering. We can't just stand by and watch these protesters get caught up in a massacre and be the subjects of genocide by a psychotic government that actually supports Karenytenia!"

Silver Star gritted her teeth before the chair could react. "I think, Michelle, that a proposal or a resolution is needed before the Senate can come up with a concrete decision on matters as serious as this. At least you need a on-the-spot proposal or suggestion to even be heard by the Hall."

The Senator remained adamant. "You want a proposal, Silver Star? I'll give you one. I, Michelle Thames of the Conservative Party, hereby proposes to the Hall that military action be taken against the Republic of Hippostania for genocide and the massacring of protesters in the city of Melyn."

The Head Senator's mouth dropped open, her eyes brimming with disbelief. "Well, Thames, you dare have the audacity to interrupt the Head Senator and disobey the chair in the Hall? Well, you know what, Michelle? Last time we intervened militarily, it was in New Armarzia and that didn't go too well, did it? You dare interrupt me mid-speech in front of 111 other senators? How about you try acting like a member of this Senate and not a child who's pissed that her plans didn't go accordingly?"

The Hall was silent, the two female senators glaring at each other. The Senate seemed to be in shock over this confrontation, surely this had not happened before in history?

Finally, a exasperated voice spoke up and out of the corner of her eye Silver Star could see Thomas leaning back on his chair, a hand over his face. "Thomas Silverstone, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Calling the Hall to a vote."

The chair turned around and looked up at Silverstone. "Call acknowledged," he replied, before turning back to the crowd of agitated senators. Silver Star could see most of them muttering among themselves in the gloom of the seats and desks; shooting looks between her and Thames. "Anyone for Senator Thames's proposal?"

18 hands shot up.

"Anyone against?"

A wave of arms rose into the air, forming a forest of hands in the crowd. Silver Star allowed herself a moment of reprieve and closed her eyes, sighing deeply. She had been truly uncivil and had let her emotions get the better of her. As the Head Senator, she could not have those moments. Not anywhere, not ever. Ever.

The bang of the gavel brought her back to reality. "Due to an overwhelming majority, this proposal has not passed. Head Senator, do you have anything else to say?"

Silver Star gazed upon the gathered before letting her eyes rest back onto Michelle, who was now red with a mixture of embarrassment, fury and respect. "Yes, I do. I will draft a communique issuing an official condemnation of Hippostania ... and I apologize for my behavior in this Congregation. I think I speak for both Michelle and I when I say this. Thank you."

Ethan banged his gavel for the last time. "And by the last word of the Head Senator, this Congregation is adjourned. Thank you for coming, and clapping is an order."

Silver Star collapsed on her chair to a trickle of muted applause, her two subordinates both part of it. After the steady stream of people filing out of the Hall had ended, leaving just her, Silverstone, and Golden Oakleaf in the room, she sighed. "I guess I'll have to get going with that communique, huh?" she moaned, slamming her head on the wooden desk.

Golden Oakleaf laughed, a rare sound these days. "I guess so."

---

To: Government of Hippostania
From: Head Senator Silver Star
Subject: Genocide in Melyn

Hippostanian Government,

The Pony Republic is utterly horrified and at a loss for words at the massacre of protesters that your forces have conducted in the city of Melyn and hereby condemns you and the force that killed those citizens in the strongest way possible. We strongly urge you to stop this crackdown and come to your senses; your actions are under the scrutiny of the entire international community.

---

Signed,

Silver Star, Head Senator of Conclespia

[Hippostania]

Melyn Central Square, Karenytenia
01:30, August 9th

The square was a not a pretty sight. Hippostanian AVU-5 Combat Engineering Vehicles had been collecting burned bodies, pieces of humans and everything else that had been left in the square during the aftermath of the attack; they had worked non-stop and slowly, the square was starting to look clean again. The bodies were loaded onto military trucks, which in turn drove to the outskirts of the city and dumped their waste into deep, hastily dug mass graves which were quickly covered.

Similar trucks also cruised around the city, looking for dead bodies that were just as swiftly loaded onto trucks and driven away. With the exception of some bullet holes and broken windows, the city was starting to look normal again. Except that the whole city was empty, except for the Hippostanian soldiers, not a single soul was out on the streets The electricity was not running and the mobile phone network had been shut off. The restaurants, bars and corner stores that must've been so lively just days before were depressingly dark and quiet.

However, not all of the dead civilians were loaded onto trucks. Some of them were left on the streets, and assault rifles were put next to them. ''That would look nice on the newspapers'' Pitts had said. And so they would. And by morning, the city was once again clean, suitable for the reporters to see.

And as the sun rose above Melyn, it looked like just another regular, Karenytenian city.

-snip-

Thank you for contacting us, and allow us to explain. We do not know where you have gotten idea that we have purposefully massacred civilians.

On August 8th, at approximately 13.30 local time, several Hippostanian Army soldiers from the 167th Military Police Regiment who had been sent to Melyn to maintain and order and protect the inhabitants of the city came under small arms and RPG fire at several locations around the city. We believe that this was a co-ordinated attack, aimed against the Hippostanians. The soldiers, asking in self-defense, returned fire and requested immidiate reinforcements. These were provided by the 7th Mechanized Infantry Regiment and the 85th Aerial Support Wing of the Hippostanian Marine Corps that bombarded several rebel positions in the city center. We emphasize the fact that only rebels were targetted and the soldiers avoided hurting any civilians. Any civilian casualties were not recorded.

After the battle had stopped, Hippostanian soldiers assisted civilians to leave the area and provided medical assistance where necessary. At no point during the battle did we deliberately target civilians or civilian buildings. This can be verified from the footage that our soldiers filmed during the battle.

---

Signed by

Brigadier General Christopher Pitts of the Hippostanian Army, Commander of Operations in Karenytenia

[Austria-Bohemia-Hungary]

The Imperial and Royal Foreign Ministry
Of the Kingdoms and Lands in Reichsrath Represented, the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown of Saint Wenceslaus

---

To: The Entity known as Hippostania
CC: All other entities involved
From: Der Kaiserlich-, und Königliche Aussenministerium

---

Exzellenzen

We have no comment regarding your official statement on the attack on civilians conducted by your army, utilizing white phosphorus munitions against an unarmed and harmless civilian population. Do not forward your lies to us, We have the Imperial and Royal Ministry for the Armed Forces confirming the use of white phosphorus against defenceless women and children. Your standard in committing doublethink in the twenty-first century is truly lacking, seeing that you failed to disable internet access fast enough to prevent the evidence from leaking out.
Now, you hope to cover it up with your own planted evidence, as our sources indicate. This would indicate a shocking lack of moral standards within the Republic that puts it amongst nations that are classified by the Imperial and Royal Foreign Ministry as irrational actors on the international stage. As such, in common with all other irrational actors in Our file, We consider no negotiations with you worth Our spit.
Act again against a civilian population, and We will be intervening on behalf of that population, in defence against your war of aggression.

Trotzdem, nutzen Wir diesen Anlass, um Eure Exzellenzen, Unserer ganz ausgezeichnete Hochachtung zu versichern,

Im Namen von Ihre Kaiserliche und Königlich Apostolische Majestät,
Maria Melanie I.
Von Gottes Gnaden, erwählter römischer Kaiserin, zu allen Zeiten Mehrer des Reiches, Kaiserin von Österreich, Apostolicher Königin von Ungarn, Königin von Böhmen; Königin von Lombardei und Venedig; von Dalmatien, Kroatien, Slawonien, Galizien, Lodomerien und Illyrien; Königin von Jerusalem; Erzherzogin von Österreich; Großherzogin von Toskana und Krakau; Herzogin von Lothringen, von Salzburg, Steyer, Kärnten, Krain und der Bukowina; Großfürstin von Siebenbürgen, Markgräfin von Mähren; Herzogin von Ober- und Niederschlesien, von Modena, Parma, Piacenza und Guastalla, von Auschwitz und Zator, von Teschen, Friaul, Ragusa und Zara; Gefürsteter Gräfin von Habsburg und Tirol, von Kyburg, Görz und Gradisca; Fürstin von Trient und Brixen; Markgräfin von Ober- und Niederlausitz und in Istrien; Gräfin von Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg; Freiin von Triest, von Cattaro und auf der Windischen Mark; Großwojwodin der Wojwodschaft Serbien.

Der Kaiserlich-, und Königliche Aussenministerin
Ihrer Durchlaucht Alexandra Juliette Reichsfürstin von Lohenstein, Reichsgräfin von Neckarwald, Inhaber des Orden vom Goldenen Vlies, Kommandeur des Königlich-Ungarische-Sankt-Stephans-Ritterorden, Inhaber Erste Klasse des Kaiserlich-Österreichisches-Leopolds-Orden, Inhaber Erste Klasse des Kaiserliche Eiserner-Kronen-Orden, Inhaber des Grosskreuzes des Kaiserlich-Österreichisches-Franz-Joseph-Orden

Der Präsident des Hofkriegsraths
Feldmarschall Leopold Andreas, kaiserlicher Prinz von Österreich; königlicher Prinz von Ungarn und Böhmen; von Lombardei und Venedig; von Dalmatien, Kroatien, Slawonien, Galizien, Lodomerien und Illyrien; Prinz von Jerusalem; Erzherzog von Österreich; Großherzog von Toskana und Krakau; Herzog von Lothringen, von Salzburg, Steyer, Kärnten, Krain und der Bukowina; Großfürst von Siebenbürgen, Markgraf von Mähren; Herzog von Ober- und Niederschlesien, von Modena, Parma, Piacenza und Guastalla, von Auschwitz und Zator, von Teschen, Friaul, Ragusa und Zara; Gefürsteter Graf von Habsburg und Tirol, von Kyburg, Görz und Gradisca; Fürst von Trient und Brixen; Markgraf von Ober- und Niederlausitz und in Istrien; Graf von Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenberg; Herr von Triest, von Cattaro und auf der Windischen Mark; Großwojwode der Wojwodschaft Serbien; Ritter des Orden vom Goldenen Vlies; Ritter mit Großkreuz der Militär-Maria-Theresien-Orden; Kommandeur des Ungarischen-Sankt-Stephans-Orden; Militär-Verdienstkreuz Erste Klasse; Ritter mit Großkreuz des kaiserlich-österreichische Leopold-Orden; Signum Laudis in Gold; Ritter Erste Klasse der kaiserliches Eiserner-Kronen-Order.

[Conclespia]

Silver Star's Office, Haystack Towers, Cohina, Conclespia
2:30 PM

"Bull."

"Excuse me?"

"I said bull, Thomas," Silver Star muttered. "There is no way in hell that those protesters were of any danger to those Hippostanian soldiers. This guy thinks that he can bullshit me as well as the entire international community? Well, Christopher Pitts, you've got it all wrong. They didn't even bother to cut off the internet before releasing this statement? Please."

Silver Star and Thomas Silverstone sat on the couch in the former's office, the Head Senator reading over the communique that they had just recently received from the Hippostanians. The sun was shining brightly that day, but the mare had chosen not to pull any shutters down. '"Let some light shine in on us," she had said, rather philosophically. "We'll need it."

"Seems like the Austrians have made a statement as well," Silver Star observed as she picked up another document from the small stack of papers next to her. "Maybe we should contact them and see what options we have? And, of course, a reply to the Hippostanians. Maybe we should threaten military action or something."

Silverstone shrugged. "Sounds like a good idea to me," he said. As Silver Star was about to stand, he put a hand on her back. "I'll take care of that," he said. "You, on the other hand, should get some rest. You've barely slept for the past 48 hours. Golden Oakleaf will take over while you're gone, and I'll notify you if anything boils down."

Silver Star nodded, a yawn escaping her mouth. "Thanks. I'll head up back to my apartment. Oh, and by the way, the office is yours while I'm gone," she said. Thomas nodded and watched as the Head Senator trotted out of the room, then stood and walked over to the desk, sitting in the rotating leather chair and grabbing a pen and paper. There was a lot to come.

---

To: Government of Hippostania
From: Thomas Silverstone, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Re: Explanation

Hippostanian Government,

Honestly, do you think we were fooled by your standards of doublethink? The first-hand reports that we have received from protesters inside Karenytenia due to your failure to cut off all internet access inside the nation and also from our analysts show that you attacked innocent civilians who had no intention of harming your troops whatsoever. You cannot hide your crimes against humanity any longer and military action will be taken against you, if not by us, then by the rest of the international community. Stop the massacring of protesters and maybe you can be recognized as human beings once more.

---

Signed,

Thomas Silverstone, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Conclespia

---

To: The Imperial and Royal Foreign Ministry of Austria-Bohemia-Hungary
From: Thomas Silverstone, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Hippostanian Intervention in Karenytenia
Encryption: HIGH

Dear Imperial and Royal Foreign Ministry of Austria-Bohemia-Hungary,

It has come to the Pony Republic's attention due to your communique that you are willing to militarily intervene if Hippostania continues to massacre innocent protesters in the nation of Karenytenia. I would like to inform you that the Pony Republic will do all it can in co-operation with your government, if it's willing, to end the bloodshed and would possibly, God forbid, send forces alongside yours if there is no other alternative. Thank you.

---

Warmest Regards,

Thomas Silverstone, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Conclespia

[Karenytenia]

(OOC: In the Azores for a trip lasting one week, so I don't have much action for now.)



Despite Hippostanian intervention, the Karenytenian protesters in other cities did not give up.

Nalyvena continues to be the centre of the clashes between demonstrators and the police and military, with more than 1000 deaths, more than 1600 injuries and over 6200 detentions. Martial law has been declared in Karenytenia, Yarel Vyerelyn congratulated the Hippostanian military in their use of force in Melyn and the 18:00 curfew replaced the 21:00 curfew nationwide.

Also, Yarel Vyerelyn threatened to death penalty all of those who "were about to undermine the Karenytenian state."

Foreign stations and their respective websites have been blocked and the RTK is now the only station allowed to broadcast in Karenytenia.

[Jukraina]

"If you can´t keep your people under control then you must give them what they want. That is my advice to you. And I say it´s good advice because it works very well in here Jukraina." Dictator Jakor.

[Hippostania]

[Hippostania]

OOC: Sorry for the doublepost, but the internal communique doesn't really give me any advantage so it's safe to post another message

Outskirts of Melyn, Karenytenia

Despite the atrocities that had taken place in Melyn yesterday, it was a calm day on the outskirts of the city. The sun was shining and a gentle breeze swayed the old majestic oak and maple trees. People were working on their farms and near the road, a small raccoon had started crossing the road. It never got to the other side.

A long column of Hippostanian tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers appeared from behind the hill and squashed the poor raccoon. The column, which consisted of several groups of vehicles with plenty of distance between them to avoid ambushed was crossing the Karenytenian countryside in order to reach the capital city of Nalyvena to quell the protests there. Thousands of soldiers were mentally preparing for another massacre. And it wouldn't be a problem to them; if you have enough money, you can make a man do anything.

In one of the vehicles was Brigadier Colonel Pitts, once again surveying the map of Nalyvena. He liked to get familiar with areas before actually visiting them.

''Hey, you'' Pitts said and pointed at one of the lower rank officers.

''Yes sir?'' he responded

''Get the power, internet and mobile phone access cut in Nalyvena. I want the city be as dark as polar bear's ass in wintertime when we get there'' Pitts said and grinned.

''Yes sir, I'll call the Karenytenian authorities. It shouldn't be a problem'' the other officer said, took a phone and started frantically explaining something to the person in the other end of the line.

Nalyvena, Karenytenia
A few hours later

When the column started approaching in Nalyvena, it was almost three past two in the afternoon and it wasn't immidiately clear that the power had been cut.

''Column, turn right at the next intersection'' Pitts mumbled into a microphone, and the column turned right to a large truck stop that had been apparently closed for several days. Its windows had been broken and the interior had been looted throughout. It was a fairly depressing sight.

Pitts opened up the comms and started speaking: ''Alright, you all know what we're here to do, you got your sitreps and info packets but let me just wrap this up for the last time. Due to the size of the city, we can't do things the same way we did in Melyn. So here's the plan. AV12F Flames, take positions around the city center where most of the protesters are. When I say fire, you start spraying the area with napalm. We've got some air support, so they're going to help us in our task too. The city center is going to burn, but that is only going to make it look like there was a huge battle there. Alright, let's go!''. And so, the convoy started heading towards the city center.

The convoy was met with suspicion. Though none of the people outside the protest zone took any action against the Hippostanians, they did jeer and boo at the passing armored vehicles. Of course, they had no idea what had taken place in Melyn. If they did, they would've immidiately swarmed the vehicles.

Once the vehicles had taken positions around the city center, a helicopter with loudspeakers fitted on, just like the one in Melyn flew low under the rooftops and then stabilized over the protesters. And the same message that had blared in Melyn started blaring in Nalyvena too.

''This is Brigadier General Pitts of the Hippostanian Army, working with the full authority of the Karenytenian Parliament and the Karenytenian Armed Forces. This meeting has been deemed illegitimate, and you are violating the orders given to you by the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Disperse immidiately, or force will be used to eject you from the city. Avoid bloodshed, return to your homes at once. This is your last warning''

However, this was not the same message that had been broadcasted in Melyn. The ''you have ten minutes to disperse'' had been replaced with ''disperse immidiately''. And there was a good reason for that.

Right after the message had been broadcasted, AV12F Flame flamethrower tanks started spraying hot, sticky burning napalm over the protesters. At the exact same moment, the helicopter that had broadcasted the message started firing down upon the crowds with two miniguns. Once again, in less than a minute the entire Nalyvenan city center had turned into a bloodbath, with napalm being sprayed at all side and a rain of deadly bullets raining down from above.

Meanwhile, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles had opened fire on smaller groups of protesters that were located outside the city center. Screams could be heard all over the cities as the protesters were bombarded by bullet and liquid fire everywhere. The fighting was so fierce that in some vehicles, the guns actually started to melt due to non-stop firing.

But unlike in Melyn, some protesters actually resisted the Hippostanians. Of course they were instantly torn apart by bullets, but you can nevertheless do a lot of damage even if you're only equipped with a molotov cocktail and lots of courage. This is how some of the flamethrower tanks were stopped; they used fire against fire.

Nevertheless, those few desperate men were not enough to save the protesters. After a few hours, the city was filled with thousands of bodies and body parts, broken windows, blood, gore, guts and everything you could or couldn't even imagine. It wasn't a pretty sight. It was ten times worse than the massacres that had taken place in Melyn.

But according to Hippostanians, this wasn't a massacre. This wasn't wrong. This was totally justifiable. As Pitts put it after the battle, ''you can't blame someone for taking out the trash''. And a few hours later, the tow trucks of death started piling the dead corpses on trucks, to be transported into mass graves, far far away.

-snip-

Once again, we have no idea what you're talking about. We have not purposefully killed any civilians, and threatening military action for something like that is just plain ridiculous. Stop your ridiculous comments at once.

---

Signed by

Brigadier General Christopher Pitts of the Hippostanian Army, Commander of Operations in Karenytenia

[Tehraan]

The Hegemonic Union
Peace Unity Brotherhood


Official Declaration

---

Addressed to: The representatives of the Hippostanian civil and military authorities
CC: The international community and interested parties

---

In name of the central government and citizenry of the Hegemonic Union, the following declaration is made.

The Hegemonic Union wishes to voice its praise of Hippostania for its effective use of the power that it has been granted by Karenytenia to supress and eliminate the disruptive and revolutionary elements within Kerenytenian territory.

By eliminating these elements and suppressing further descent, the Kerenytenian government has been granted the opportunity to assert it right to have a directional government, a level of altruism that certainly has to be commended. An outstanding move, we are most impressed and because of that the central government has chosen to add Hippostania on its list recommended nations to conduct business with by HU members.

We encourage further necessary action to continue from this point on until order is fully restored. And further defiance of the hostile moral imperialists whose reprehensible actions deserve nothing but pity for their ignorance.

signed,

High Chairman Nentayeg Daye

[Conclespia]

7:38 AM, Tuesday
The Eagle's Perch, Cohina, Conclespia

The gleaming and sleek rectangular skyscraper that was the Eagle's Perch sat SMACK! in the heart of downtown, the 60-story building's windows silver as they reflected the bright ocean sunlight. Not too far away from Haystack Towers, the government headquarters in Cohina, the skyscraper was the crossroads of the Conclespian military network, the headquarters, the home base. 10,000 analysts, top-flight generals and officials, programmers, hackers, schemers which made up of 5% of the entire military's communications and programming network resided in this single tower, guarded by a well-disguised cohort of Praetorian Guards, secret service agents, and even a quick-reaction force of a flight of fighter jets.

The sun was shining brightly over the city of Cohina as it began to stir, the honking of cars and the organic rumble of the vibrant city setting the tone for another normal day at work. The smooth hum of the monorail as it zipped through the city, transporting people here and there, back and forth, to and fro could be heard in the background as the never-resting, Parthenon-like Grand Exchange center on Birchfall and 4th rang it's opening bells to symbolize the beginning of a new day. It wasn't a new day, however, for the people working inside the Eagle's Perch.

Benjamin MacBeth and Mary Nakamura sat in their shared cubicle on the 48th floor of the Eagle's Perch, the partners just two of the many analysts who were monitoring the situation in Karenytenia. Papers and folders were stacked everywhere, from the customized wooden desk that the two's computers sat, on the ground, in cabinets that looked like they were about to collapse due to the weight of everything in it, to even in their backpacks and duffel bags. The occasional family picture or mini-calendar was pinned to a large bulletin-board on the cubicle wall, usually in the middle or underneath of a bunch of notes. It wasn't a surprise that the two were regarded as some of the most dedicated analysts out there.

MacBeth scratched his black hair, puzzled as he typed in a couple of commands into the computer. The lanky 28-year old shouted over the buzz of fax machines and printers and the steady clack, clack, clack of keyboards at Mary, motioning for her to come over. His shorter, fitter counterpart scooted over in her swiveling chair, squinting her eyes at the screen. After 6 hours of nonstop work, both their bodies and their eyes were exhausted.

Ben tapped the screen. "The internet connection in Nalyvena's down," he said, rather urgently. "Ah, shit! Why didn't we see this coming? The Hippostanians are headed for Nalyvena!"

Mary stood and yelled, "Everyone, listen up! Internet in Nalyvena's down! Someone get notify Haystack Towers immediately!"

For a moment, the entire floor was silent with disbelief. Then with the preciseness of a well-drilled unit, everyone collaboratively kicked into action, some analysts grouping together to try to figure out what was going on, others grabbing phones and rapidly punching in numbers to inform the authorities. No one was out of place, out of stride. The two analysts joined an increasingly large number of technicians in monitoring the situation, both of them beginning to seriously doubt whether the government had any hope in ending the bloodshed.

---

7:50 AM, Tuesday
Silver Star's Apartment on the 50th Floor, Haystack Towers, Cohina, Conclespia

Silver Star had just woken up and trotted out from her bedroom into her living room, a humble but comfortable space with a floor-to-ceiling window facing the ocean with a single, three-person white couch with it's right side to the window. A blue-bordered, circular white carpet between the sofa and a moderate-sized Permafrost Technologies, Co. TV that sat on a wooden, rectangular television table. The wooden floor was cold as she walked barefoot to her small dining table, a square piece of furniture that had two chairs by it and overhead was a round environmentally-friendly light developed by Evergreen Industries. In front of the table was a kitchen with large oak drawers and shelves and a large window that looked out onto the skyline. A large counter was built into the kitchen with two connected sinks and a stainless steel refrigerator and oven. Silver Star, the independent mare that she was, had refused a government-hired and approved maidpony and insisted on cooking her own food much to her own delight and was about to prepare breakfast for herself before a series of knocks at her door interrupted her activities.

Silver Star wrapped her bathrobe tightly around her as she approached her door, poking her head out and finding Thomas Silverstone standing there, a grim expression on his usually optimistic face.

"You've got to come down to your office immediately," he said. "There's a group of analysts from the Eagle's Perch waiting for you. The internet's been cut in Nalyvena."

---

3:32 PM, Tuesday
Cohinian National Military Base, Guardsmen's Vale, Conclespia

"So you're telling me we've gotta try and supply these protesters with internet devices?"

"Yes, sir."

"And how in the hell are we supposed to do that?"

"I don't know, sir."

Praetor Howard Song sat in his office, the wooden walls of the cabin sporting several military honors and pictures of him and fellow soldiers or his family. In front of the centurion was his customized snakewood desk, with his desktop to one side and framed pictures to the other, leaving an open space in front of him where a black, leather writing surface lay, a stack of papers resting on it and a white penholder to the right of the surface. In front of his desk sat his subordinate, Optio James Akordiance, the 30-year old caucasian scratching his brown buzzcut uncomfortably as he delivered the news to his commanding officer. It had been a short conversation so far, but he felt that it wouldn't be for long.

Song blinked a couple times before saying, "Well, then, get a task force ready. I'll see what I can do."

[ArghNeedAName]

FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUES WARRANT FOR CHRISTOPHER PITTS
Five officers wanted for war crimes in Karenytenia

A federal judge has issued an arrest warrant for five Hippostanian military officers, including Brigadier General Christopher Pitts, who is in charge of Hippostania's operations in Karenytenia. The officers are wanted for "war crimes and crimes against sentient beings" for their involvement in the crackdown on protests within Karenytenia. Video footage and eyewitness accounts report that Hippostanian soldiers attacked unarmed protestors with not just guns, but tanks and napalm. It is specified that they should be tried in an impartial court of international law.

The warrant was issued and signed by Justice Samuel Ward, a judge on the Federal Assizes who specialises in international law. Permission was then given by the Board of Judicial Warrants & Injunctions with all nine members voting unanimously in favour. Eight members of the board are non-political members who are confirmed to office by the President. The ninth seat is held by the Minister of Justice, currently Nebahat Ceylan.

Justice Ward's warrant against Pitts stated:

Pitts' futile attempts at denial will not make us blind to the overwhelming evidence put forward by video footage and eyewitness accounts. It is almost certain that Pitts would have ordered or at least permitted the brutal massacre of unarmed protestors. A court of international law should make the final decision in deducing the facts.

Ceylan [pronounced "Jay-lan"] issued a statement from the Ministry of Justice regarding the government's position:

The Cabinet of ArghNeedAName and the Ministry of the Interior will take full responsibility in ensuring that the warrant is enforced within our sovereign territory. Naturally, this means that none of the officers will be arrested unless they visit ArghNeedANamic territory themselves. However, this can be taken as a sign that the ArghNeedANamic government will not let Hippostania's acts of mass murder go unnoticed. The Ministry of Justice are continuing to investigate the case and we expect more arrest warrants to come, possibly for figures of higher political status.

The Prime Minister said that "the judicial decision has our full backing" and that "we are introducing a resolution in parliament that will give the government full power to intervene to prevent the bloodshed and murder of civilians in Karenytenia. It is important to state that this does not mean we will immediately send in any troops, let alone embark on a full-scale military campaign."